Lost Temples of Odisha: Khajureswara

Lost temples of India is a project to tell the world about the less known temples of India with historical importance. Located at Khajura sahi, Sergarh in Baleswar district of Odisha, Khajureswara temple has a small compound with a cluster of temples: 3 smaller temples and 2 stupas.

Both the “Vimana” and “Jagamohana” are are pidha temples of impoverished Kalingan order. It houses some of the Hindu deities of Somavansi period (10th – 11th centuries AD). There are three lingas (locally known as “Patalaphuta“, Odia: ପାତାଳଫୁଟ, meaning a deity originating from the crux of earth) without Jonipitha (also known as “Yonipitha” or a base) and a circular Jonipitha without linga.

The shrine was constructed between 18th to 19th century where the idols were built during 10th – 11th centuries. Local landlord Gangadhara Senapati got it renovated during the 19th century. Some of the idols are now worshiped in the new temple.

Established during the Vajrayana era of Buddhism in 11 AD, this complex has an exceptional stone base that is currently worshiped as Shiva. With the transition to Hinduism, the stupa is popularly known as “Patala phuta“.Both the “Vimana” and “Jagamohana” are are pidha temples of impoverished Kalingan order. It houses some of the Hindu deities of Somavansi period (10th — 11th centuries AD). There are three lingas  without Jonipitha (Yonipitha) and a circular Jonipitha without linga.

The annual fair “Jagara mela” during Shivaratri attracts hundreds and thousands of people for a few days. Though the shrine is a prominent historical monument and has its place in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), it is a blind spot in the tourist map and never sees any tourist. During the shoot of the video goats were found to graze inside the old temple premises.

There is not a single board in the temple for anyone to know about the architectural and historical details. Though the new temple gets a makeover every year for the Jagara mela the old one remain untouched to slowly perish. Some of the idols are lying outside the temple whereas many might have been stolen and sold in the antique market.